The following Dabhand Guides and software packs are published or planned for
1989. Publication dates and contents are subject to change. All quoted prices
are inclusive of 15% VAT in the UK (on software, books are zero-rated), and
postage and packing (abroad add £2 or £12 airmail). Foreign customers
should multiply software prices by 0.87 to exclude VAT and add postage charges
as appropriate. All are available from your local dealer or bookshop or in case
of difficulty direct from Dabs Press.

Please note: All future publications are in an advanced state
of preparation. Content lists serve as a guide, but we reserve the right to
alter and adapt them without notification. If you would like more information
about Dabs Press, books and software, then drop us a line at 5 Victoria Lane,
Whitefield, Manchester, M25 6AL, or phone 061-766-8423) and we'll send our latest
catalogue.

Master 512 Technical Guide

For those who want to delve even further into the secrets of the Master 512
co-processor, the companion volume, to the Master 512 User Guide is essential
reading.

Written by Robin Burton with the full co-operation of Acorn computers this
tome not only details the Master 512 at software and hardware levels but also
includes several hardware projects including memory expansion and the addition
of a 12MHz processor.

The proposed contents of the Master 512 Technical Guide are outlined below.

Introduction

The Hardware

The Host, Facilities

The 80186 processor

The RAM, The ROMs, The Tube

DOS Disc Systems

6502 System Software

Acorn MOS, Tube Protocols

80186 System Software

DOS Plus 2.1, ROM BIOS Emulation, The XIOS

6502 OS Calls

The 80186 Monitor

Error Handling

Applications Compatibility

PIP – Advanced Use

ED – Advanced Use

MOVE File Transfer Utility

Program Types

EDBIN

Hard Discs – Partitions, Building

Z80 Emulator

Advanced Command Use

SKS, FIDDLOAD, CHKDSK, PATH, DEVICE

Hardware Projects

512k Memory Expansion, 12Mhz Processor

512 Circuit Diagram

The Master 512 Technical Guide takes up where this User Guide ends, and expands
on the information, examples and ideas contained in this volume to provide all
the information needed by the Master 512 user who wants to get the very best
from his or her system.

Note: This book is an advanced state of preparation and while Dabs Press will
try to ensure that the above details are correct, the publishers and author
reserve the right to change them without prior notification.

Master 512 Shareware Collections

Volume One, Available Now. Price £29.95Volume Two, Available April 1989. Price £29.95Volume Three, Available May 1989. Price £29.95
Further volumes planned for later in 1989.

The subject of Shareware is discussed in Chapter 17
of this Dabhand Guide. Dabs Press are planning to release three volumes of Shareware
discs which will contain a wide and variety selection of Master 512 programs
that been tested on the standard Master 512, ie, without the Solidisk expansion,
and found to work correctly.

Any minor problems found are noted in the accompanying manual. This is not,
however, a guarantee. Some of these programs could have little nooks and crannies
which may he undiscovered for years, that contain some obscure system call which
DOS Plus doesn't support. Also, the software itself may have leaks in it at
certain points. All we can say is that we've run everything on these discs through
each major function, and everything seemed to work as expected. Programs which
require a printer were tested with an Epson-compatible Star NL10 printer with
IBM interface cartridge.

The discs in the Shareware Collections are not copy-protected. The software
may be used on IBM PCs and compatibles once transferred to a compatible disc
format. Each Shareware collection is accompanied by a manual which gives brief
details of the software and explains how to print the documentation for each
program which is presented in the form of a text file on disc.

The major program on Disc 1 is a full-function word processor contains an
amazing 'word anticipate' feature, which guesses the word you intend to use
while you are typing. A box of suggested words appears, and you type a number
or ';' corresponding to the word in the list. This is extremely useful if you
have trouble finding keys on the keyboard. For touch typists the feature can
be turned off. The program also has a spelling checker and many advanced word
processing features.

SpellChecker is a stand-alone spelling checker, which reads ASCII files, and
reports spelling mistakes. When an error is spotted, the whole line is displayed
so that you can see the context.

Justify is, in fact, a print utility that could not be contained on Disc 4,
which will fully justify an ASCII text file to the printer. The justification
actually includes inter-letter spacing. Standard 80-column text mode should
be used on the Master 512.

Style Checker is a stand-alone style checker, a program which reports how
'readable' your text is. The program works normally in 80-column mode.

Word Processing for Kids: A delightful program is a simple text editor for
young children, with just six commands in a pictorial interface. On-line help
is available at any time by pressing F1. The program works in 40-column colour
and can edit with very large characters as well.

Disc 2 Business Programs

The major program on Disc 2 is a 'clone' of the world-famous spreadsheet Lotus
1-2-3. It has graphics, macros, the lot! Any book on learning 1-2-3 should suffice
as a tutorial for this program. Even the graphics work well on a Master 512!
There are lots of sample worksheets.

FloDraw is a program allows you to design flowcharts and other graphic layouts
on a large 16x16 screen sheet, (previewed in miniature with f2), which can then
be printed out graphically to the Epson printer. A demo file is included to
show how easy the program is to use. This program works exceptionally smoothly
on the Master 512, with no flickering at all.

Disc 3. Games

The games disc includes nine interesting games which are detailed briefly
below.

Bridge

This is a full-function contract bridge playing game.

Burger

You have to catch the bits of the hamburger in order to win.
It is almost impossible to beat the machine.

Checkers

This is a full-colour board game, not draughts, but something
much more interesting.

Entrap

This is a text Othello (also called Reversi). The squares
are entered by typing co-ordinates.

PC Chess

This is a nice colour chess game, with quite a few options,
controlled from the function keys. Moves are entered in letter-number notation,
and an autoplay mode is included.

Sopwith

Enjoy the thrills and spills of the old biplanes, as you
loop the loop, dodge the mountains, and generally behave in a rather antisocial
manner to the buildings below!

Wombat

This is a big, interesting text adventure game.

Mono Chess

This is a simpler chess game, although the graphics are nicer!

3-D OXO

This is a text-based version of the famous computer game
3D Noughts and Crosses, or as the Americans say, Tic-Tac-Toe.

Disc 4. Printer Programs

This disc contains a number of very useful programs that allow the printer
to be expertly controlled from the DOS Plus prompt. Included is an editor which
provides downloadable fonts for an Epson FX-80 printer or compatible. An LQ
font is provided by a program that takes a text files and prints it out using
a high quality font.

Other programs include a short utility which will send codes to the printer
directly from DOS, ie, if you type FXPR4 EJECT RESET ELITE
it will formfeed up to the next sheet, reset the printer, and put it in Elite
mode. Sidewriter prints text files out sideways on an Epson-compatible printer.

Disc 5. Miscellaneous

This disc contains a number of useful programs which will appeal to a wide
range of Master 512 users.

Casio

This is an on-screen digital watch.

Finger Paint

This is an excellent monochrome 640x200 CGA drawing program,
with many features controlled by function keys and ALT-function keys.

NewSweep

This is a file handling utility, famous in its CP/M incarnation,
and now implemented for DOS. Block renaming, deleting, moving, archiving
and so on are all possible with the file tagging system.

PC-Art

A nice four-colour CGA art program driven by function keys.

PC-Outline

PC-Outline is an 'outline processor', a word processor which
allows you to group ideas into 'levels'.

World Map

This interesting program displays a map of the world in several
orientations. Areas can be selected by latitude and longitude, or by city
name, and there is a pointer system to move around the globe and to zoom
in on a particular area.

VSI

The Visual System Information provides a visual indication
of the system configuration.

What Am I?

A program to give system information.

PC-Golf

This is a golf game which uses text graphics, but is nevertheless
quite realistic, offering a range of courses, and the usual choice of woods
and irons.

Shareware: A Dabhand Guide by Wm. Gallagher

Available third quarter 1989. 250pp approx. Book: £14.95

This book investigates and explains the whole concept of PC shareware – where
you can get it from, how much it costs, and reviews many popular packages. A
must for anyone interested in shareware! The book is applicable to anyone using
a IBM PC or compatible, including the Master 512 system.

Master 512 Products

Dabs Press can supply a wide range of Master 512-compatible PC software, and
also are working on Master 512-specific products such as a mouse driver, Print
Screen utility etc. Contact Dabs for further details.

The Master owners bible. Acclaimed reference guide for programmers and users
of the BBC B+ and Master Series micros. Contains a wealth of information on
the operating system, including all the * commands, OSBYTE and OSWORD calls,
the Tube, filing systems and the differences between the various BBC micros.
David Somers in A&B Computing (Nov 87) said it's 'invaluable' –
we agree!

This massive 512 page book provides a comprehensive tutorial in C – fast becoming
the de facto language for all micros. This book is ideal for the beginner
and starts from first principles. It includes specific sections on the Master
and PC. The draft ANSI standard (superset of K&R) is covered. So whether
you are running C on the Master or on the 512 itself you have the perfect tutor.
As the reviewer in PCW said: "I only wish this book had been available
when I was learning C."

This top selling guide to VIEW, now in its second edition, has received rave
reviews and is an absolute must for all VIEW users. This is what they said:
John Allen speaking on Radio London: 'It's very good...'

Mike Williams, Beebug magazine June 1987: '...much more to offer the competent
VIEW user ... practical and down-to-earth ... for those who want a complete,
thorough and readable guide to VIEW then Bruce Smith is your man.'

Bill Penfold, Acorn User September 1987: 'This is the first computer book
I've read in bed for pleasure rather than to cure insomnia.'

A complete tutorial and reference guide for the Acornsoft ViewSheet spreadsheet
and the ViewStore database manager, specifically written to appeal both to the
beginner and to the more knowledgeable user. Also covers ViewPlot and OverView.
The accompanying disc contains many example templates and utility programs.

"This guide is the sort of invaluable reference tool that all serious
users of the View business suite need" Electron User June '88. "The
practical examples are far better than those in the official Acorn manual"
IT Education/Network User Sep. 1988 . "You certainly feel that the
manual has been put together by someone who has explored the facility thoroughly."
Oldham Evening Chronicle.

Bumper Assembler Bundle by Bruce Smith
Publication: Available Now. Two books, two discs and booklet, just £9.95

Five part package providing a complete tutorial in 6502 and 65C02 machine code
at a third of their normal price. Two books, two discs, and booklet for Master
series. Full details on request. Available only while stocks last!

A complete guide to this award winning software covering every aspect of using
this powerful software package. All modules covered including Wordprocessor,
Spreadsheet, Database, Label Printer, Graphics and Comms. Full of practical
advice and packed with examples. Programs disc contains a text spooler, sideways
spreadsheet printer, and much more.

BBC and Master Software Packs

For the Master 128. Provides ADFS *FORMAT, *VERIFY, *BACKUP, *CATALL and *EXALL
in ROM and new * commands such as *FIND – which finds a file anywhere on an
ADFS disc. A complete alarm system is present using the Master 128 alarm facility,
as is an AMX Mouse driver.

HyperDriver is the ultimate printer ROM. And if you have a printer, then this
will be the most significant purchase you can make. It's absurdly easy to use
and provides you with many of the facilities missing from your current software
including: on-screen preview, CRT graphics, NLQ font and user-definable macros
to name but a few. No matter what you use your printer for, wordprocessing,
spreadsheets, databases, programming you will have in excess of 80 * commands
available for instant use from within applications such as VIEW, InterWord and
so on.

The HyperDriver pack contains a 16k EPROM, and a Sideways RAM image on disc.
A full and comprehensive 100-page manual and reference card complete this value
for money package.

'The thought that's gone into the way HyperDriver is used with wordprocessors
and a million over good design features make the value of this ROM stand out
... an ingenious blessing.' Geoff Bains, March 1988, Beebug.

A unique single-step machine code tracing program allowing you to step through
any machine code program. Fingerprint will even trace code situated in Sideways
RAM/ROM – learn how BASIC works! "It is simple to use and there is
little it doesn't provide for the machine code programmer". Tubelink.

If you have an idea for a computer book, or if you are an established technical
author, and you would like to write for us, we would like to hear from you.
An initial submission should ideally include a one page synopsis of the proposed
book. We publish books for any microcomputer system with a large user base in
the UK and Europe.

We also publish computer software. Submissions are welcome for the Commodore
Amiga, IBM PC, BBC Micro, and Acorn Archimedes.